The mountains are closer than you think.
For the amount you might spend in a typical night out, you can pack your thermals, hop on a bus, leave the New York skyline behind you, and be on the slopes in only a few hours.
Here's a distilled run-down of ski shops and leagues that organize trips leaving out of New York, as well as other ways to get to the mountains that don't involve you worrying about directions.
SKI SHOPS
Emilio's Ski Shop
718-544-0404
Mountains: Okemo, Mount Snow, Stratton, Hunter, Windham, Mountain Creek, Belleayre, Gore, Bromley
When: Tuesday-Sunday (see the
schedule for all details)
Cost: $70-$100 for lift ticket and bus, depending on mountain
Pick-up location: (Varies by trip) Emilio's Ski Shop (112-32 Queens Boulevard, Queens); Panda Sports (92nd Street and Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn); Homage (Smith and Bergen streets, Brooklyn); York Avenue and 86th Street, Manhattan; Ski Trip on Bus (Brighton Beach and Coney Island avenue)
Departure time: Between 3:30-6:30 am depending on the mountain
Through: March 31, 2010
Blades Board & Skate
212-787-3911
Mountains: Hunter, Windham
When: Wednesdays (only Windham available), Saturdays, Sundays
Cost: $70-$80 for lift ticket and bus
Pick-up location: 659 Broadway and 156 West 72nd Street
Departure time: 6:30 am and 7:00 am
Through: February 21, 2010
Of note: Get your morning started with free hot bagels, bottled water and Red Bull, and dawn screenings of snowboarding videos
Paragon Sports
212-255-8889
Mountains: Hunter, Windham
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays (Hunter only), Sundays (Windham only)
Cost: $84 for lift ticket and bus
Pick-up location: 18th and Broadway
Departure time: 6:30 am
Through: March 27, 2010
LEAGUES/ONLINE GROUPS
ZogSports
info@zogsports.org
Mountains: Belleayre, Hunter
When: Various Saturdays
Cost: $90-$100
Pick-up location: Midtown Manhattan, near Penn Station (exact location given after sign-up)
Departure time: 6:30 am
Through: March 12
Of note: Weekend trips to Stowe and Mount Snow also organized
Brooklyn Ski Bus
718-701-2999
info@brooklynskibus.com
Mountains: Bromley, Mount Snow, Okemo, Stratton, Elk, Jiminy Peak (vary by weekend)
When: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Cost: $89-$109
Pick-up location: Seventh Avenue, between 1st and 2nd streets, Brooklyn
Departure time: 5:00 am
Through: March 28, 2010
NYCSki&Board
Contact information
Mountains: Hunter, Windham, Stratton
When: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays (varies by trip)
Cost: $85-$95
Pick-up location: Times Square (New Victory Theater, 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues) or Union Square (Walgreens, 14th Street and Fourth Avenue)
Departure time: Between 4-6:15 am, depending on trip and pick-up location
Through: March 6
Of note: The site recommends places to eat if you're not packing a lunch. Ice climbing and weekend ski/snowboard excursions are also available, as well as white water rafting and zipline tours in the warmer months.
BUS PACKAGES
Adirondack Trailway
800-776-7548
Mountain: Belleayre
When: Friday-Monday
Cost: $81 (includes lift ticket)
Pick-up location: Port Authority (42nd street and Eighth Avenue)
Departure time: 7:00 am
Through: End of the season
RAIL PACKAGES
Metro-North
212-532-4900
Mountain: Thunder Ridge
When: Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $51.50 for adults (includes discount round-trip rail fare, all-day/all-night lift ticket (night skiing not available on Sundays); shuttle to/from the train station to the ski area; $5 discount on rental equipment
Pick-up location: Grand Central Terminal (42nd Street and Park Avenue) or Harlem-125th Street (at Park Avenue)
Departure time: Varies (check out the schedule
here)
Through: March 14, 2010
